Chapter 326

Lin Zhao went to the post office to pick up a letter and, on a whim, went to the transport team to find her second brother, only to learn he had gone on a long trip.

She was immediately angered to the point of puffing up like a pufferfish.

She came to the Song house, fuming.

Seeing his niece's cheeks puffed out more than usual, Uncle Song understood immediately. "Who provoked you? Is it Lin Lin Xiaoer again?!"

"Yes! It's Lin Lin Xiaoer!" Lin Zhao's anger flared, and she said fiercely, "He didn't even say a word to me before leaving on his trip. He's gone for half a month or a month at a time; at the very least, I should know where he's going! If I hadn't gone to the transport team, I wouldn't even have known he'd left!"

"Hmph, and I even gave him a sachet to refresh his mind! Heartless! Lin Lin Shisheng is just heartless!!"

Song Song Yuncheng felt relieved.

So his sister scolds everyone when she's anxious; it's not just him!

Song Song Yunjin shifted his bottom, moved closer to Lin Zhao, and said with a grin, "Sister, your younger brother won't make you angry. Don't pay attention to those self-centered brothers. I listen to you; I'll tell you wherever I go. Don't be angry. How about I go buy you an ice cream?"

"... I want two! Different flavors!" Lin Zhao made her request; she had walked too fast and was quite hot.

"Alright." Song Song Yunjin trotted out the door.

Song Song Yuncheng called out to him, "Buy me one too."

The teenager stopped and waited, leaning against the door.

After waiting for several seconds and seeing his brother make no move, he rolled his eyes. "Not buying! No extra money!"

"Heh." Song Song Yuncheng laughed in anger. "Can't you be more generous, Song Song Yunjin?"

Classmate Song Song Yunjin indicated, "No."

He looked at him with full disdain. "You're working and taking advantage of me, a student. Don't you think you're being excessive?"

Song Song Yuncheng protested, "Sister works too."

"You also said this is Sister!" Song Song Yunjin chattered on. "Can you compare to my sister?"

"I'm still your brother." Song Song Yuncheng felt stifled.

"Sister gave me a camera." Song Song Yunjin smiled.

"A camera was enough to bribe you!?"

"Isn't it?" Song Song Yunjin curled his lips. "Those who know, know the value of a camera."

Before the tail of his sentence finished, he closed the door and ran downstairs.

"Sycophant," Song Song Yuncheng cursed in anger.

Lin Zhao glanced at him, her tone flat. "You're embarrassed into anger."

"Sister!" Song Song Yuncheng's voice rose. "You're my sister too! Don't always favor Song Song Yunjin. He's already so arrogant; if this continues, he'll be riding on my head."

Lin Zhao said, "I heard that every month when you get your salary, you give it to Song Yunjin to buy several rolls of film first?"

Song Song Yuncheng's expression stiffened. "Who said that? I just..."

Before he could finish denying it, Lin Zhao interrupted him with a smile. "Aunt Song said so."

Aunt Song came over with a fruit platter and nodded. "Yes, I said so."

Song Song Yuncheng: "..." Backstabbing from all directions!

He clutched his chest, his face wooden, and fell backward.

Lin Zhao beamed and stuffed the largest slice of apple into his mouth. "There, don't say this sister of yours is biased; Song Yunjin doesn't get this treatment."

Song Song Yuncheng laughed, looking like a silly roe deer.

"Not biased, my sister isn't biased at all!"

Uncle Song hadn't spoken the whole time. Only after his Zhao Zhao had vented her anger did he speak: "Feel better now? You wouldn't be angry without a reason. Are you trying to ask me about your parents' situation?"

Lin Zhao smiled, looking over with anticipation. "Yes, does Uncle know?"

"Mom and Dad always say we're children and don't tell me anything. Since this is such a big deal, they must have told you, Uncle, right? I want to know."

Uncle Song smiled. "You've asked the wrong person; I really don't know this time."

"How is that possible?" Lin Zhao hoped this was just an excuse.

"When have I ever lied to you? I really don't know," Uncle Song said. "Even your second brother is confused. He received a sudden call from your mother; your mother didn't say a word of nonsense, only telling him to drive to Haicheng to pick them up. I fear they've encountered something. I suspect it has to do with your father's family background."

He had seen Lin Lin Heling back then; he looked sickly, but his face was handsome, like a noble young master from a storybook.

Back then, he hadn't thought much of this delicate pretty boy who couldn't carry or lift anything. Unfortunately, his sister was a face-con and said she had taken a fancy to him. Before he could react, she snatched the guy home. He didn't know what method she used to make the boy marry into their family.

Now, he had gone from being a picky brother-in-law to the one in the wrong, and his attitude was forced to do a 180-degree turn.

Later, hearing from knowledgeable people that the brother-in-law's accent was like that of Haicheng, he confirmed that Lin Lin Heling indeed came from a big city.

Because of these past events, Uncle Song could answer some things, but they were all his guesses.

Lin Zhao frowned. "Nothing bad happened, right? They don't explain clearly, it really makes one worry. My second brother too, why didn't he call me when he drove to pick up Mom and Dad."

If she said something unlucky, she could fight; if they encountered robbers on the road, at least there would be someone useful.

Uncle Song's brow held a reassuring, upright air, clear as the sun and moon. "He guessed your reaction, so he didn't even dare to tell you and ran faster than a rabbit."

Lin Zhao: "Hmph."

"Don't be angry," Uncle Song smiled. "Lin Shisheng can't refuse you; if you asked, he would definitely compromise. But if he brought you along, your mother would break his legs, and your father wouldn't know how to deal with him, so how could he dare to say anything. Just wait; before long, you'll see your parents. They've been away from home for so long, it's time to come back."

Their hearts are too wild; it really makes one worry.

When that couple first left, he dreamed every day that they were being hung from trees and beaten.

Lin Zhao was easy to coax, her expression relaxing. "Alright, I'll listen to Uncle."

Uncle Song's smile rippled in his eyes. He stood up and walked toward the cabinet, taking out the fragrant, soft sponge cake inside.

"I knew you'd come, so I had someone make it for you. The sponge cake you love, fragrant and soft, eat some."

Song Song Yuncheng said, "Great, great. No wonder you went out with flour, eggs, and sugar, Dad. So you were looking for someone to make sponge cake for my sister. Why didn't you help me make some mung bean cakes while you were at it? Your son is craving them too."

"We'll see at the end of the month," Uncle Song said.

The white flour and sugar in the house were so limited, not enough to make much. Even if his salary was high, not everything could be bought.

Song Song Yuncheng looked at Lin Zhao. "Sister, I'm basking in your glory. When my dad fulfills his promise, I'll send you a few."

"Sure," Lin Zhao replied without ceremony.

Thinking of what she had brought, she pulled her bag over and took out the items inside.

"Uncle, tea for you. This time it's top-grade Longjing. Drink it first; if you like it, I'll get more for you. Aunt, this is lip balm for you. You always feel your lips peeling and dry, right? Apply this, it's moisturizing, has no color, and only serves to moisturize. Try it..."

Tea was hard to buy these days, mostly special supply. Uncle Song was a valuable technician, but he couldn't get much. Instead, he basked in Zhao Zhao's glory and never lacked tea.

Look, he was already drinking top-grade Longjing.

Uncle Song was a cautious person; even if he didn't lack good tea, he didn't show off outside, so he didn't cause any trouble.

He rubbed Lin Zhao's hair with his calloused hands. "Good, I must taste it. I've achieved tea freedom thanks to my niece; I really have good fortune in this life."

Uncle Song really thought so. He felt his life had been quite smooth: poor family, but a capable sister who could support his studies by hunting, a virtuous wife, a worry-free son, and no troublesome relatives. It was truly an incredibly smooth half-life.

Lin Zhao held her uncle's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'm even luckier; I have the best uncle... and aunt in the world."

Aunt Song's heart warmed. It was hard not to like a child like Zhao Zhao; she never came empty-handed and was more thoughtful than her two sons.

"Zhao Zhao, tell me quickly, how... how do you use this lip balm? Is it really useful for my lips?" she asked.

The factory had been busy lately, she drank little water, and her lips were cracked and bleeding yesterday afternoon. Zhao Zhao's gift hit the spot!

Lin Zhao walked over and applied it for her aunt herself. "Just like this. You can apply it whenever you feel dry. Aunt, don't forget to drink water; it looks painful."

Aunt Song looked at her with a smile. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

Uncle Song, who was brewing tea, exposed his wife. "Why wouldn't it hurt? I don't know who was crying 'ouch, ouch' last night, not even daring to smile."

Aunt Song was embarrassed into anger. "Shut up!"

Uncle Song shrugged and closed his mouth.

Lin Zhao curled her lips and busied herself coaxing her aunt.

When Song Song Yunjin returned, he ate two pieces of sponge cake with his ice cream. Suddenly remembering the letter he had just picked up, she took it out of her bag and began to read.

The letter was sent by Gu Gu Chenghuai.

Judging by the time, it must have been written when she took the twins back to her hometown.

Lin Zhao scanned the words on the paper quickly, thinking it was daily life and concern as usual, but she didn't know she would see news that would leave her dumbfounded.

"The Yuan family..." The words "were wiped out" nearly slipped out.

Song Song Yunjin scanned it tentatively, didn't see anything, and said hesitantly, "Sister, what's the matter? Can I see it?!"

Lin Zhao gave him the letter in a daze.

Song Song Yunjin spent a few breaths reading it, and a "Holy crap" popped out.

"What's wrong?" Uncle Song put down his teacup, snatched the letter from his hand, and Aunt Song leaned against him, and the couple began to read the letter.

Song Song Yuncheng couldn't hold back his curiosity and walked behind his parents to read it too.

"Hiss!!" He gasped. "Murder?!!"

And... killing three at once.

No.

It was four, not even sparing herself.

He was hit by a huge shock, his face tight.

He was glad the cousin he recognized had divorced that person!

"It's a good thing they divorced; it's too scary!" Song Song Yuncheng expressed his true feelings.

This was the closest he had ever been to a murderer. Even though he hadn't met Yuan Qin, he felt lingering fear; after all, the relationship was quite close.

"Yes, so scary, so scary!" Song Song Yunjin had seen little of the world and was even more frightened, patting his chest with a look of lingering fear.

Lin Zhao said, "Who's to say it isn't? This news caught me off guard; it's too surprising."

She had no good feelings for Yuan Qin; her only impression of her was that she was quite ill.

She never expected such a person to have a "rise."

Unimaginable.

Uncle Song had seen much and had seen cases where female comrades were oppressed too hard and tragedies occurred.

He said, "I fear she was pushed to the brink. No matter who it is, as long as they are human, there is a limit to patience."

Aunt Song had also heard about Meng Meng Jiusi's ex-wife and had no good feelings for her. Upon learning she was dead, any dissatisfaction vanished.

She sighed, "If she hadn't been so foolish, she wouldn't have reached this step! Such maternal family members should be cut off... It's a pity for the two children, Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai."

With such a mother who is a murderer, what will they do in the future?

Uncle Song's mood was affected, a fire burning in his chest. "It's truly hateful. What did the two children, Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai, do wrong? Why must they pay for the actions of the Yuan family? This will definitely affect their future. Meng Jingmo says he wants to be a soldier; how will he pass the political review? This path is blocked completely!"

He felt sorry for those two children; their lives were too bitter!

Lin Zhao was silent, quickly calculating in her mind. Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai were under ten now. Eight years until the end... When the college entrance examination is restored, they will be young and won't have to rush for the first batch. Maybe the later batches won't be so strict?

It's a pity she didn't know much.

"Maybe it will change in the future." Song Song Yunjin didn't want to see his family down, so he said.

Lin Zhao reached out and pinched the flesh on his face. "Well said! I didn't expect little classmate Song to have such insight; you're worthy of being my brother!"

Song Song Yunjin grinned. "I heard it from someone else."

"That's still great. Some people would treat it as a joke even if they heard it and wouldn't take it to heart at all. Being able to say this shows you have thought about it. Amazing. With such keen intuition, I now think you're very suitable to be a reporter." Lin Zhao praised him.

Classmate Song Song Yunjin's eyes sparkled. "Sister, do you really think so?"

"Of course, no one is worthy of me telling lies to coax them!" Lin Zhao said with a proud expression.

"Hehehe, I'll work hard." Song Song Yunjin clenched his right hand, cheering himself on. "I'll strive to let Sister have a great reporter brother soon."

Lin Zhao patted his shoulder to encourage him and said, "We'll consider the future of Meng Jingmo and Meng Xiaobai later; they are still young. Let them spend their childhood freely first. Just as Song Yunjin said, maybe the world will change in ten years; who can say?"

Many things flashed through Uncle Song's mind, and he nodded. "Yes, thinking too much now is useless. When the car reaches the mountain, there will be a road; their future won't be bad."

At worst, they can enter their factory as workers.

He was no longer what he used to be; he still had that much ability.

The fact that the job he found for Zhao Zhao was taken by someone else was a wound in his heart; since then, he had been very careful to build his own network.

It was already showing results.

Lin Lin Shisheng didn't delay much on the way, driving straight to Haicheng. There wasn't just his truck on the road, but also transport teams traveling between the provincial capital and Haicheng. Traveling in a group made the journey safer.

They really encountered robbers on the road—about a dozen people, holding sickles and kitchen knives, very fierce.

After a fierce battle, the robbers were tied up. The drivers were all fine, except for one person who had a cut on his arm.

Lin Lin Shisheng was quite good at fighting and had more strength than the average person, earning the top merit.

Those who were originally reluctant to bring him along were immediately impressed.

"Brother, if I had known you were so good at fighting, I would have begged you to join us! If there was any offense before, don't take it to heart. From now on, you're my own brother; if you have anything, just tell me!"

Lin Lin Shisheng laughed heartily. "Sure, we're all in the transport team. Although we're not from the same place, we're in the same system. Helping each other is what we should do; don't take it to heart."

These words made the drivers from the provincial capital transport team feel that his character was truly good. The alienation disappeared, and they treated him as one of their own, mentioning some confidential matters that benefited Lin Lin Shisheng greatly.